Bloody psycho.
Once the door closes, Jayce walks over to the bar. He opens the mini fridge beneath it, and I hear him take two cola cans out. He walks over to me and passes me one.
“So, what exactly am I missing?” he asks.
I push myself up slightly, resting my head on the armrest, and open my can, taking a gulp.
“Well, Blondie wanted me to contact Hades, you know, the god who’s favoured me? Anyway, she’s just so damn-”
“Whoa, hold up, you’re favoured by Hades? Damn.” Jayce whistles.
“Yeah, nothing important, anyway-”
“Why did you never mention it?”
“Hades? It’s not as simple as that,” I say quietly, still smiling, but he gets the hint. A concerned frown crosses his forehead, and I sigh. “And because you always worry about everyone else. I’m fine, but yeah, she thinks Hades can help them – meaning us, cause I know I would have had to fucking go as well. We were getting three souls for Hades earlier when you decided to drop by.”
He’s quiet for a moment as I drink my ice-cold cola, ignoring the intense stare that he’s channelling my way.
“Intriguing… I get it.”
“Get what?” I ask.
He walks over and drops into the armchair, placing his legs on the table, noticing a dead wasp, and flicks it onto the floor. “Get why you don’t want anyone to know. Dad would panic for one.”
“Oh yeah, Dad’s a saint.” If he knew the shit I do, he’d probably die himself. “Plus, it’s just better… no one needs to know.”
“When did you find out?”
“Around the time you and Sienna began dating, I would have told you, but you had your own stuff going on, so...” I shrug. “Besides, it’s kinda cool, right? You’re touched by Zeus, and I’m favoured by his brother.”
“Intriguing for sure, it makes me think. Is that why you hesitated to enter the temple in Egypt?” he asks.
I chuckle darkly. I wouldn’t have expected any less from him. “Yeah, I wasn’t sure someone favoured by Hades wouldn’t be spat out, but once you guys left, Hades was the one who told me to get on the steps. He’s an asshole, but he needs me alive.”
“Fuck…” Jayce is quiet. I know what’s going through his head. He’s imagining if I hadn’t, knowing that I could have died.
“That’s about it. We now wait for Hades to reach out to me, which he really won’t do unless I’m alone.”
Jayce smiles slightly. “Thanks for trying to help.”
“I’m not sure it’s the smartest decision; nothing is free. And she – Heaven, thinks she can outwit a god.”
“Yeah, seen that before. We won’t rush it, and we’ll make sure no one is harmed.”
“Aww, look at you, a natural leader.”
He stands up. “I’ll let you get some sleep. We’ll figure this out.”
“So, you’ll talk to Ares?” I ask as he climbs the steps.
“Yeah, he’s been quieter, but since what happened to him, he’s not been as angry with me.”
We’re both quiet, but what happened when Ares was attacked – that’s not something I can share with anyone. Not without it complicating so much more… and I’m not ready for that.
“Good, I’m sure he’ll be happy to help.”
“If any of them say no, I won’t hold it against them. It will be risky,” Jayce says.
